Execution Report: Juan Soria

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In prison, Soria had a history of self-mutilation and suicide attempts. In June, he pulled a volunteer prison chaplain's arm into his cell and repeatedly slashed it with a razor blade. The minister, 78-year-old William Paul Westbrook, was severely injured. Soria was placed in the psychiatric unit after that incident. He reportedly attempted to kill himself again the weekend before his execution.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court turned down Soria's appeal, rejecting his claims of trial error and improper exclusion of Hispanics from the jury. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles also rejected his plea for clemency by an 18-0 vote. His final appeal was rejected on Wednesday afternoon, when a state district judge denied his lawyer's claim that Soria was not competent to be executed.

At his execution, Soria had long hair and a wild beard, as he had not been given access to a razor since his attack on the chaplain. A towel covered numerous self-inflicted cuts on his arms. In his last statement, he spoke slowly, in a barely audible voice, mentioning Allah and divine love numerous times. He concluded by saying, "They say I am going to have surgery, so I guess I will see everyone after this surgery is performed. It is finished." He was pronounced dead at 6:27 p.m.

By David Carson. Posted on 28 July 2000. Updated on 10 August 2000.
Sources: Sources: Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice, Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Huntsville Item.